Adjustable form for poured concrete construction

ABSTRACT

An adjustable preassembled and self-contained form comprising a pair of laterally spaced braced form walls pivotally suspended from a series of overhead crossbeams or outriggers. The form walls are adjustable so as to assume either a parallel forming position or an outwardly swung placing and removal position. End walls are also provided for relative adjustment to vary the effective length of the form.

United States Patent Inventor Jack Sanders 2100 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, La. 70130 Appl No. 745,523

Filed July 17, 1968 Patented July 27, 1971 ADJUSTABLE FORM FOR POURED CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION 13 Claims, 18 Drawing Figs.

u.s.c| 249 13,

249/192,25 131 YF, 249/50, 249 47 IIILCI B28b7/2 2 Field ol'Search ..249/13,1s,

26, 50, 33,34, 47, 155, 158, 160, 161, 162, 163, 189, 192, 195; 2 5/131 SA, 131 SB, 131 M, 131 P, 131YF {56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,761,055 6/1930 Selway 25/131 M 2,641,043 6/1953 Martin 249/33 X Primary Examiner-J. Spencer Overholser Assistant Examiner-De Walden W. Jones Attorneys-Clarence A. O'Brien and Harvey B. Jacobson ABSTRACT: An adjustable preassembled and self-contained form comprising a pair of laterally spaced braced form walls pivotally suspended from a series of overhead crossbeams or Outriggers. The form walls are adjustable so as to assume either a parallel forming position or an outwardly swung placing and removal position. End walls are also provided for relative adjustment to vary the effective length of the form.

P ATENTEU JULZTIBYI I 3,595,514 SHEET 1 OF 6 7- Jack Sanders INVENTOR- SHEET 2 (IF 6 Jack Sanders INVI'IN'IOK.

PATENTEU JUL27 I97! PATENTEU m2? 197i SHEET 3 OF 6 r u N o A M N c 1 v M MW 0 W J @W 5% 9 EV L H4; |.|L- 5 M 1 New w NR H mm W m.m, Q 5 H \\J H mm, 5 5 W HA mm RA H H H (L PATENTEU JUL2 1 |97l SHEET S []F 6 Jack Sanders PATENTEH JUL2'! I97! SHEET 8 OF 6 Jack Sanders IN VIiNI'UKv m m 3mm ADJUSTABLE FORM FOR' POURED CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION The instant invention is generally concerned with concrete form work, and more particularly relates to a unique self-contained preassembled form which can be positioned and removed as a unit, eliminating the time-consuming manual construction and dismantling as is now commonly required in field concrete work.

A significant object of the instant invention resides in the provision of a completely constructed form which, in addition to being both positionable and removable as a unit, is adjustable for use in the formation of different size poured concrete units, the vertical nature of the form making it particularly adaptable for use in the forming of bridge bent caps, walls, footings, and the like.

Another significant feature of the instant invention resides in the elimination of interior fasteners normally utilized in securing opposed form walls for the pouring operation. This elimination of the internal fasteners, through the exteriorly braced unitized construction of the instant invention, in turn eliminates the labor, time and materials normally required to remove the interior fasteners or ties and patch up the holes left thereby so as to finish the exterior faces of the concrete.

Particularly significant with regard to the elimination of the necessity for manually constructing and dismantling the form work is the fact that forming costs utilizing the form of the instant invention are reduced to approximately one-quarter to one-fifth of the costs utilizing conventional forming methods.

Basically, the above advantages are achieved through the provision of a pair of laterally spaced braced rigid forming walls pivotally secured to and depending from a series of overhead crossbeams or Outriggers with the walls being both pivotally adjustable toward each other for facilitating a placing and removal of the form, and slidably adjustable toward each other so as to adapt the form for use in the formation of different thickness walls or the like. In addition, the form is provided with a pair of end walls, at least one of which'is adjustably positionable so as to vary the length of the pour.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout and in which:

FIG. I is a perspective illustration of two forms constructed in accordance with the instant invention, one being removed upon the completion of the forming operation;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view ofa pair of adjustable forms constructed in accordance with the instant invention;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a joined pair of forms;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged side elevational detail illustrating, among other things, the joining structure between a pair of aligned forms; r,

FIG. 5 is an elevational detail at one end of the form work,

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the end structure of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional detail taken substantially on a plane passing along line 77 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional detail taken substantially on a plane passing along line 8-8 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a transverse cross-sectional view through the form of the instant invention, taken substantially on a plane passing along line 9-9 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional detail taken substantially on a plane passing along line 10-10 in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional detail taken substantially on a plane passing along line 11-ll in FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional detail taken substantially on a plane passing along line 12-12 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional detail taken substantially on a plane passing-along line 13-13 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged cross-sectional detail taken substantially on a plane passing along line l414 in FIG. 4;

on a plane passing along line 15-15 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the adjustable end or end wall used at the end of the form work opposite from that illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the lift cradle utilized in the positioning of the form; and

.FIG. 18 is an enlarged cross-sectional detail taken substantially on a plane passing along line 18-18 in FIG. 17.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, reference numeral 20 has been used to generally designate a form constructed in accordance with the instant invention. This form 20 can be used either by itself or in series with similarly constructed forms depending upon the length of the particular pour. For example, FIG. 1 illustrates the use of two forms 20, one of which is being removed subsequent to a sufficient hardening of the formed concrete structure 22. FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 likewise illustrate adjacent interlocked forms, FIGS. 4, 13 and 14 are illustrating details of the form-joining construction.

The form 20 basically includes a pair of vertically oriented laterally spaced form sidewalls 24 pivotally suspended from a series of transversely extending overhead crossbeams or outriggers 26. Each sidewall 24 includes a flat steel skin 28 externally braced by a series of laterally spaced vertical channel bar ribs 30 welded directly to the outer face of the skin or plate 28. Vertically spaced horizontally extending channel bar stiffeners 32 extend transversely across the outer flanges of the vertical ribs 30 and are welded thereto for further bracing and rigidifying the sidewall construction. As will be possibly bestappreciated from the enlarged sectional view of FIG. 12,

the lower edge portion 34 of the metal skin 28, which may, as an example, be 3/l6-inch steel, is angled outwardly along the full length thereof and has and elongated. stiffening bar 36 welded to the outer face thereof. The lower end of each of the vertical ribs 30 is appropriately cut so as to terminate at or slightly above the angled lower edge portion 34 of the skin 28. Further, gussets or bracing plates 38 are provided between the angled portion 34 and the lowermost horizontal stiffener 32 at spaced points therealong, being welded to each so as to provide an additional degree of stability.

An elongated right angular metal bearing shoe 40 is provided along substantially the full length of each sidewall 24. The bearing shoe 40 including a vertical flange 42 affixed to the skin 28 along the line at which the lower edge portion 34 angles outwardly, this vertical flange 42 forming a coplanar continuation of the skin downwardly to a point below the lower extremity of the angled lower edge portion 34, at which point it integrally meets the outwardly extending horizontal flange 44- which forms the hearing or support surface for the corresponding wall 24. This horizontal flange 44 terminates in a reversely curled outer edge portion 46 and is rigidly braced by bracing plates 48 extending between and welded to both the horizontal flange 44 toward the curled outer edge 46 thereof, and the rigidifying bar 36 fixed to the edge portion 34 of the skin 28, such bracing'plates 48 being provided at longitudinally spaced points along the bearing shoe 40.

The upper end of each of the vertical ribs 30 is cut at an angle downwardly and outwardly with a longitudinally extending rigidifying plate 50 being welded to these out ends. Noting FIG. 15, a series of right angular brackets 52 are welded to both the upper edge of the plate 50 and the outer flange of the uppermost horizontal stiffener 32 with these brackets 52 in turn having an elongated wood beam or plate 54 bolted thereto for use in supporting special concrete forms for any formations which might be desired on top of the main poured structure 22, such as for example girder risers or pads, assuming the structure 22 is a bridge bent cap.

The sidewalls 24 also include plywood facing panels 56 sciewed or otherwise directly secured to the steel skin 28 so as to form the actual forming face, such plywood panels 56 normally being waxed or otherwise provided with a release substance immediately prior to each pour. As will be noted from FIG. 9, the plywood forming panels 56 are provided with an elongated wood chamfer 58 nailed therealong toward the upper edge thereof, the opposed chamfers 58 being used to define the height or upper limit of the pour. As will be appreciated, the chamfers 58 can be positioned at any required height. Further, noting FIG. 1, the plywood facing panels 56 need only extend along that portion of the length of the form 20 which is to actually be utilized.

A scaffold or walkway 60 is provided along substantially the full length of each form sidewall 24 to the outer side thereof, the walkway being supported on a series of horizontal outwardly projecting arms 62, each having the inner end thereof rigid with a vertical mounting post 64 and the outer end thereof stabilized by a diagonal brace 66. Each post 64 in turn has a pair of upper and lower inwardly directed Z-shaped brackets 68 which are received over a pair of upper and lower horizontal stiffeners 32 with the inner edge of the post 64 engaged against the outer edges of the stiffeners 32, thus suspending the entire walkway unit in a stable manner on the braced outer face of the corresponding sidewall 24. The walkway 60 itself includes a curled outer edge portion 70 which acts so as to rigidify the walkway, especially between horizontal support bars 62. In addition, short upward directed retain ing members 72 are provided so as to confine the walkway 60 against outward movement off of the support structure.

The mounting of the sidewalls 24 on the crossbeams 26 is effected by column units 74, each of which includes a pair of column members 76 which receives the corresponding crossbeam or outrigger 26 therebetween. Each column member 76 is formed of an angle plate having a first flange 78 notched as at 80 for reception over the horizontal stiffeners 32 to which it is welded. In addition, each column member 76 includes an outer flange 82 integral with the first flange 78 and paralleling the wall 24 in outwardly spaced relation thereto, this flange 82 terminating in a reversely curled stiffened edge portion 84. Transverse braces 86 are also welded between the curled outer edge portion 84 and adjoining ones of the vertical ribs 30 at vertically spaced points along the column members 76, preferably in direct supporting underlying relation to selected ones of the horizontal stiffeners 32 as will be best recognized from FIG. 9.

As will be appreciated, the column units 74 project both above the corresponding sidewall 24 and above the overlying crossbeam 26 with each column member 76, from the uppermost horizontal stiffener 32 upward, having an angle member 88 rigidly affixed to the flange 78 with one flange of the angle member 88 being in opposed parallel relation to the column member flange 82 and with an inwardly projecting apertured mounting plate 90 being rigidly affixed between the column member flange 76 and the flange of the member 88 secured thereto. Attention is particularly directed to FIG. for this construction.

The crossbeams or Outriggers 26, noting FIGS. 9, l0 and 11, consist, in each instance, of a pair of opposed inwardly facing channel beams 92 welded to the opposed vertical faces of a relatively higher plate beam 94 which extends both above and below the channel beams 92 and terminates short of the opposed ends of these beams 92. The lower edge portion of the plate beam 94, below the opposed channel beams 92, is reversely bent as at 96 to provide a flat downwardly directed bearing edge 98. The opposed webs 100, in the vicinity of the two column units 74 through which the particular crossbeam 26 passes, are provided with a series of pin-receiving apertures 102 therethrough, in addition to an apertured overlying plate 104, the apertures 106 in which align with the apertures 102. The aligned apertures 102 and 106 selectively receive pivot pins 108 extended through similar aligned apertures provided in each flange 78 of the column members 76, as well as the angle member flanges secured thereto and the sandwiched apertured ears 90 so as to in effect pivotally suspend the corresponding wall 24 on the crossbeams 26. The provision of a series of apertures allows for a lateral adjustment of the walls 24 toward and away from each other so as to vary the width of the pour and thus adapt the form for a range of different projects. Further, after a pivotal adjustment of the walls 24, bringing these walls to a vertical orientation, additional pins 108 can be inserted so as to act to assist in locking the walls 24 against outward swinging and further stabilize these walls during the actual pouring of the concrete.

With reference to FIG. 9 in particular, it will be noted that a braced angle member 110 is welded to the coplanar inner flanges of the angle members 88 associated with each column unit 74 with the upper flange of each angle member 110 being horizontally orientated so as to abut the flat bearing surface 98 of the beam 26 as the sidewalls 24 come to a completely vertical position, thereby functioning as stops for insuring a proper positioning of the walls and so as to preclude an overswinging of these walls 24 inwardly toward each other, providing in effect a self-aligning or plumbing feature. By the same token, these angle member stops 110 also contribute significantly to preventing any tendency for the form to sway or collapse laterally.

A similar braced angle stop 112 is affixed across the column members 76 of each column unit 74 on the outer face thereof, the stop angles 112 differing from the angles 110 in that the upper crossbeam engaging flanges thereof are angled, relative to the vertical flange, at a less than 90 angle so as to allow for an outward swinging of the corresponding sidewall 24 as illustrated in phantom lines with regard to the right-hand wall 24 in FIG. 9. In other words, the angle stops 112 allow for a predetermined outward swinging of the sidewalls 24, this outward swinging being limited by an engagement of the acutely angled upper flanges thereof with the lower bearing surfaces 98 of the crossbeam 26.

The actual adjustment of the opposed sidewalls 24 is effected by a plurality of elongated braces 114 adjustably extensible and retractable through an interposed turnbuckle unit 116 through which the effective length of the corresponding brace 114 can be increased or decreased, causing a corresponding swinging movement of the sidewall. The upper end of each of the braces 114 includes an upper extension 118 an opposed threaded rod portion 124. The rod portion 124 constitutes a rigid extension of the brace portion 126 which carries a pair of laterally projecting ears 128 on the lower end thereof for a pinning of the lower end of the brace 114 to the corresponding column unit 74 by means of a transversely extending pin 130 engaged through the apertured ears 128 and one of two pairs of opposed holes 132 formed through the opposed flanges 78 of the column members 76. The two pairs of aligned holes 132 provide for a degree of adjustability in pivotally fixing the lower ends of the braces 114. As will be appreciated, one brace is mounted between each crossbeam end and the adjoining column unit 74.

When two of the forms 20 are to be used so as to increase the effective length of the pour, a first form will be positioned and the second form brought into alignment therewith and secured thereto in a manner which will be best appreciated from FIGS. 4, 13 and 14. Basically, each of the forms 20 is provided with a column 134 adjacent the particular end of the form 20 which is to be aligned with the adjacent form. This column 134 is notched as at 136 so as to receive the horizontal stiffeners 32 to which the column 134 is permanently welded. The opposed columns 134 mount upper and lower turnbuckle units 138 between mounting ears 140 welded to the columns 134 and projecting outwardly therefrom. The turnbuckle units 138, in use, overlie the outer faces of the columns 134 and are of course pinned to both sets of ears 140. During nonuse, the turnbuckle units 138 can be unpinned from one set of mounting ears 140 and swung about the pins associated with the second pairs of ears so as to release the two forms 20. Alignment of the two forms 20 is further ensured by means of enlarged upper and lower alignment pins 142 which are rectangular in cross section and received through aligned rectangular sleeves 144 welded to the upper and lower channel-shaped horizontal stiffeners 32. An appropriate stop 146 can be associated with one end of each of the alignment pins 142 with the end of the pin 142 opposed from the stop 146 being tapered so as to facilitate its insertion into a prepositioned form as the second form 20 is moved into position adjacent thereto. Appropriate bracing plates 148 can be provided as needed to n'gidify the columns and insure a proper transfer of stress from the tensioned turnbuckle units 138 to the sidewalls 24.

The longitudinal ends of the pour, whether utilizing one or more forms 20, are defined by end walls 150 and 152. The end wall 150, noting FIGS. 5-8, includes a forming panel or face 154 shaped to the desired configuration for the end of the structure 22, in this instance semicylindrical. The forming panel 154, normally formed of sheet metal, is appropriately braced and rigidified both by reversely bending the opposed vertical edge portions 156 thereof and providing a network of rigid bracing bars 158 welded to the outer surface thereof, including upper and lower edge rigidifying angle members 160 which are conformed to the shape of the panel 154 and welded thereto. The reversely bent vertical edge portions 156 form flat abutment faces which engage against the adjoining end of the form 20, normally the endmost vertical ribs 30.

The actual locking of the end wall 150 to the adjoining form end is effected through a series of bolts 162 which are pivotally mounted to a pair of T columns 164 extending vertically along the opposed sides of the end wall 150 adjacent the free edges thereof, these columns 164 of course being rigidly welded to the end wall bracing structure, utilizing gusset plates 166 as required. Each of the bolts 162 is swingable to an extended position whereby the threaded end thereof is received within an upwardly opening notched plate 168 normally positioned on and welded to the end of one of the horizontal stiffeners 32. After a seating of the bolts 162 within the corresponding notched plates 168, the nuts 170 on the bolts 162 are tightened so as to effectively draw the end wall 150 against the form sidewalls 24 for a clamped engagement thereagainst. The actual alignment of the end wall 150 with the sidewalls 24 is facilitated by means of elongated alignment pins 172 which are slidably received through upper and lower pairs of alignment sleeves 174 fixed to both the sidewalls 24 and an aligned portion of the end wall 150.

The second end wall 152, noting FIGS. 1, 2 and 16, is slidably received within the opposite end of the form work and positioned therein at a depth corresponding to the desired length of the structure 22 being formed. This end wall 152 is basically similar to the end wall 50, including a braced forming panel or sheet 176. The end wall 152 differs from the end wall 150 in that the end wall 152 does not include the side columns 164 or the associated alignment and clamping means. In addition, the end wall 152 has a full height flat back panel 178 rigidly affixed to the bracing members 180, as well as a pair of upwardly directed hangers 182 for use in facilitating the positioning of the end wall 152.

The end wall 152 is of course of a size so as to be slidably although snugly received between the opposed sidewalls 24. With reference to FIG. 1, as previopsly noted, the plywood facing panels 56 can and will preferably terminate at the point corresponding to the location of the adjustable end wall 152.

The end wall 152 is maintained in position by means of a beam 184, normally a 2X6, nailed directly to the soffit or pouring deck 186 immediately rearward of the back panel 178 as well as upper and lower pairs of beams 188, normally 4X4s, wedged between the back panel 178 and upper and lower transverse beams 190 which span the extreme end of the form 20 and are releasably bolted to the opposed sidewalls 24. These beams 190 are each preferably formed of a pair of spaced back to back channel bars welded together to form an integral beam positionable between an operative position transversely across the end of the form 20 and an inoperative or stored position bolted alongthe vertical edge of one of the sidewalls 24. It will of course be appreciated that the timbers 188 will be cut to length so as to correspond with the desired depth of the end wall 152.

The actual positioning of the form 20 is effected through a cable suspended overhead lift cradle 192 which is of a rectan gular configuration generally conforming to the shape of the form 20. The lift cradle 192 includes rigid crossbars 194 positioned so as to have selected ones of these crossbars 194 aligned with the form crossbeams 26, each of the crossbars 194 having an elongated platelike lug 196 having a plurality, normally three, holes therein. Each of the crossbars 194 is additionally provided with an upstanding apertured lug 198 welded on the opposed end portions thereof. In use, cables are engaged with the upper lift cradle lugs 198 and appropriate clevises 200 engaged between the depending lugs 196 and the crossbeam column units 74 aligned therewith, the clevises 200 engaging through appropriate apertures 201 provided through the upper ends of the column units 74, these upper ends including, if deemed necessary, appropriate reinforcing plates. lncidently, the slack suspension cables noted in FIG. 1 would normally only be used in the lifting operation when a longer form than that illustrated as suspended from the lift cradle 192 is being raised, for example the form still positioned about the poured structure 22.

In actual use, the forming deck or soffit 186 is provided with chamfer strips 202 nailed therealong so as to define the lateral width of the pour and provide alignment means for the opposed lower edge portions of the sidewalls 24. The desired reinforcing is mounted on the base 186 and tied into any additional reinforcing, after which the form or forms 20 are lowered into position and the sidewalls 24 swung inwardly to their vertical position abutting against and aligning with the chamfer strips 202. The forms 20, assuming more than one, then are tied together and the opposed end walls and 152 positioned, after which the unit is ready for the pouring operation. Incidentally, it will of course he appreciafed that the clevises 200 securing the form 20 to the lift cradle 192 are easily released so as to allow the cradle to be quickly detached from the form after it is positioned, the form itself being both freestanding and self-supporting, as well as of such stability as to receive and contain the pour against the outward forces generated thereby, any tendency for the walls to move outwardly being easily resisted by the locked and braced engagement of these sidewalls with the crossbeams or outriggers 26.

Once the pour has sufficiently hardened, the lift cradle will be pinned into the forms 20 one at a time with these forms being quickly lifted and removed, after of course initially swinging the sidewalls 24 outwardly. The forms are then ready for immediate reuse, the whole procedure completely eliminating any manual assembly or disassembly such as associated with conventional form work. The only actual manual labor involved with the use of the form 20 of the instant invention being the placing and removal of several locking and alignment pins, and the adjustment of the various turnbuckle units, such procedures involving only a matter of minutes.

Again, it should of course be appreciated that while the form 20 has been illustrated in conjunction with the formation of a bridge bent cap 22, the form is equally adaptable for use in the pouring of any type of vertical structure. As a point of information, in the forming of the illustrated bridge bent cap, reinforcement is extended vertically from previously formed support columns 204, this reinforcement being extended through the pouring deck or soffit 186 and tied to horizontally positioned bent cap reinforcing. The soffit 186 is in turn supported on a series of transversely extending 4X4 beams 206 which rest on a pair of longitudinally extending support I- beams 208 mounted on the aligned columns 204 by means of a series of friction collars 210. The construction is then ready for the placing of the form or forms 20 as described above.

With regard to the adjustment of the sidewalls 24 laterally toward each other so as to vary the width of the pour, such is done basically by unpinning one sidewall at a time from the crossbeams and, through appropriate jacks engaged between the transversely aligned column units 74, and a manipulation of the turnbuckles on the braces associated with the unpinned wall, shifting this wall toward or away from the pinned wall, after which the unpinned wall is again pinned into the crossbeams 26 and the process repeated with the other wall. incidently, it should also be appreciated that the ease with which the cooperating elements of the form can be unpinned and released from each other contributes significantly to a rapid collapsing of the entire form for storage or shipment purposes with the reassembling of the form again involving only the placement of several pins, primarily those pins pivotally mounting the walls on the crossbeams and the pins pivotally mounting the lower ends of the turnbuckle braces.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only ol'thc principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

lclaim:

1. An adjustable form for poured concrete construction comprising a pair of laterally spaced form sidewalls, support means overlying said walls, connecting means pivotally securing said sidewalls to said support means for a pivotal swinging of said sidewalls toward and away from each other, adjusting means engaged between said sidewalls and said support means for pivotally adjusting said sidewalls, first and second end walls engageable with the opposite end portions of the sidewalls, the first end wall engaging against the extreme ends of said sidewalls at one end of the form, and means directly engaged between the first end wall and the adjacent sidewalls for effecting a clamping of the first end wall to the sidewalls.

2. The form of claim 1 including alignable sleeves on said sidewalls and said first end wall, and elongated alignment pins engageable through said sleeves for an alignment of said first end wall with said sidewalls, said means for clamping said first end wall to said sidewalls comprising adjustable bolts pivotally mounted on said first end wall and bolt-receiving means on said sidewalls for rotatably receiving and retaining said bolts.

3. The form of claim 1 wherein the second end wall is slidably received between the sidewalls at the opposed end portion of the form from the first end wall, and rigid brace means engaged between the sidewalls and the second end wall for releasably fixing the second end wall in a predetermined position between said sidewalls.

4. An adjustable form for poured concrete construction comprising a pair of laterally spaced form sidewalls, support means overlying said walls, connecting means pivotally securing said sidewalls to said support means for a pivotal swinging of said sidewalls toward and away from each other, adjusting means engaged between said sidewalls and said support means for pivotally adjusting said sidewalls, said support means extending laterally beyond said sidewalls, said adjusting means comprising longitudinally adjustable elongated rigid braces engaged between the outer end portions of said support means and the lower portions of said sidewalls, said support means comprising a plurality of spaced transversely extending crossbeams, and vertically elongated column units fixed to he sidewalls vertically thereacross and extending thereabove to intersect said crossbeams, said connecting means comprising .moved removable transversely extending pins engaged through the column units and the crossbeams, said column units projecting vertically above the crossbeams, said column units including means on the upper end portions thereof, in spaced relation above the crossbeams, for engagement with overhead lift equipment.

5 The form of claim 1 including stop means limiting the pivotal swinging of said sidewalls to a first substantially vertical position parallel to each other and a second outwardly osition.

6. T e form of claim 1 including vertically elongated column units fixed to the sidewalls vertically thereacross and extending thereabove to intersect said crossbeams, said con necting means comprising removable transversely extending pins engaged through the column units and the crossbeams, said column units projecting vertically above the crossbeams, said column units including means on the upper end portions thereof, in spaced relation above the crossbeams, for engagement with overhead lift equipment.

7. The form of claim 1 including a wide bearing shoe fixed to the lower edge of each sidewall along the full length thereof and projecting laterally outward therefrom to define a support for the form.

8.-The form ofclaim 7 wherein said form is self-supporting.

9. The form ofclaim 1 wherein said form is selfsupporting.

10. An adjustable form for poured concrete construction comprising a pair of laterally spaced form sidewalls, support means overlying said walls, connecting means pivotally securing said sidewalls to said support means for a pivotal swinging of said sidewalls toward and away from each other, adjusting means engaged between said sidewalls and said support means for pivotally adjusting said sidewalls, said support means comprising a plurality of spaced transversely extending crossbeams, vertically elongated column units fixed to the sidewalls vertically thereacross and extending thereabove to intersect said crossbeams, said connecting means comprising removable transversely extending pins engaged through the column units and the crossbeams, said column units projecting vertically above the crossbeams, said column units including means on the upper end portions thereof, in spaced relation above the crossbeams, for engagement with overhead lift equipment.

11. An adjustable form for poured concrete construction comprising a pair of laterally spaced form sidewalls, support means overlying said walls, connecting means pivotally securing said sidewalls to said support means for pivotal swinging of said sidewalls toward and away from each other, adjusting means engaged between said sidewalls and said support means for pivotally adjusting said sidewalls, and a wide bearing shoe fixed to the lower edge of each sidewall along the full length thereof and projecting laterally outward therefrom to define a support for the form.

12. The form of claim 11 wherein said fonn is self-supporting.

13. An adjustable form for poured concrete construction comprising a pair of laterally spaced form sidewalls, support means overlying said walls, connecting means pivotally securing said sidewalls to said support means for a pivotal swinging of said sidewalls toward and away from each other, and adjusting means engaged between said sidewalls and said support means for pivotally adjusting said sidewalls, said form being self-supporting. 

1. An adjustable form for poureD concrete construction comprising a pair of laterally spaced form sidewalls, support means overlying said walls, connecting means pivotally securing said sidewalls to said support means for a pivotal swinging of said sidewalls toward and away from each other, adjusting means engaged between said sidewalls and said support means for pivotally adjusting said sidewalls, first and second end walls engageable with the opposite end portions of the sidewalls, the first end wall engaging against the extreme ends of said sidewalls at one end of the form, and means directly engaged between the first end wall and the adjacent sidewalls for effecting a clamping of the first end wall to the sidewalls.
 2. The form of claim 1 including alignable sleeves on said sidewalls and said first end wall, and elongated alignment pins engageable through said sleeves for an alignment of said first end wall with said sidewalls, said means for clamping said first end wall to said sidewalls comprising adjustable bolts pivotally mounted on said first end wall and bolt-receiving means on said sidewalls for rotatably receiving and retaining said bolts.
 3. The form of claim 1 wherein the second end wall is slidably received between the sidewalls at the opposed end portion of the form from the first end wall, and rigid brace means engaged between the sidewalls and the second end wall for releasably fixing the second end wall in a predetermined position between said sidewalls.
 4. An adjustable form for poured concrete construction comprising a pair of laterally spaced form sidewalls, support means overlying said walls, connecting means pivotally securing said sidewalls to said support means for a pivotal swinging of said sidewalls toward and away from each other, adjusting means engaged between said sidewalls and said support means for pivotally adjusting said sidewalls, said support means extending laterally beyond said sidewalls, said adjusting means comprising longitudinally adjustable elongated rigid braces engaged between the outer end portions of said support means and the lower portions of said sidewalls, said support means comprising a plurality of spaced transversely extending crossbeams, and vertically elongated column units fixed to he sidewalls vertically thereacross and extending thereabove to intersect said crossbeams, said connecting means comprising removable transversely extending pins engaged through the column units and the crossbeams, said column units projecting vertically above the crossbeams, said column units including means on the upper end portions thereof, in spaced relation above the crossbeams, for engagement with overhead lift equipment.
 5. The form of claim 1 including stop means limiting the pivotal swinging of said sidewalls to a first substantially vertical position parallel to each other and a second outwardly moved position.
 6. The form of claim 1 including vertically elongated column units fixed to the sidewalls vertically thereacross and extending thereabove to intersect said crossbeams, said connecting means comprising removable transversely extending pins engaged through the column units and the crossbeams, said column units projecting vertically above the crossbeams, said column units including means on the upper end portions thereof, in spaced relation above the crossbeams, for engagement with overhead lift equipment.
 7. The form of claim 1 including a wide bearing shoe fixed to the lower edge of each sidewall along the full length thereof and projecting laterally outward therefrom to define a support for the form.
 8. The form of claim 7 wherein said form is self-supporting.
 9. The form of claim 1 wherein said form is self-supporting.
 10. An adjustable form for poured concrete construction comprising a pair of laterally spaced form sidewalls, support means overlying said walls, connecting means pivotally securing said sidewalls to said support means for a pivotal swinging of said sidewalls toward and away from each other, adjusting means engaged beTween said sidewalls and said support means for pivotally adjusting said sidewalls, said support means comprising a plurality of spaced transversely extending crossbeams, vertically elongated column units fixed to the sidewalls vertically thereacross and extending thereabove to intersect said crossbeams, said connecting means comprising removable transversely extending pins engaged through the column units and the crossbeams, said column units projecting vertically above the crossbeams, said column units including means on the upper end portions thereof, in spaced relation above the crossbeams, for engagement with overhead lift equipment.
 11. An adjustable form for poured concrete construction comprising a pair of laterally spaced form sidewalls, support means overlying said walls, connecting means pivotally securing said sidewalls to said support means for pivotal swinging of said sidewalls toward and away from each other, adjusting means engaged between said sidewalls and said support means for pivotally adjusting said sidewalls, and a wide bearing shoe fixed to the lower edge of each sidewall along the full length thereof and projecting laterally outward therefrom to define a support for the form.
 12. The form of claim 11 wherein said form is self-supporting.
 13. An adjustable form for poured concrete construction comprising a pair of laterally spaced form sidewalls, support means overlying said walls, connecting means pivotally securing said sidewalls to said support means for a pivotal swinging of said sidewalls toward and away from each other, and adjusting means engaged between said sidewalls and said support means for pivotally adjusting said sidewalls, said form being self-supporting. 